Lucien closed his eyes and let the exhaustion seep into his bones.
The Samsara Crown had drained him thoroughly. Even after removing it, its echo pressed against his mind like a fading stormfront.
When he finally opened his eyes, the world returned in pieces.
His summoned monsters had calmed too. Their leaders had corralled them into stillness. The only persistent noise was the violent, rhythmic pounding against the Stygian Shell.
The lake still raged.
Lucien's gaze landed on a particular group. His Metal Gargoyles.
Dozens of them stood in silent formation. Their shiny hide caught the silver light of the garden. They waited like statues, perfectly obedient.
Lucien called out to them with a thought.
[Come.]
A low hum of metal answered. The gargoyles lifted from the ground, wings beating once before they descended in a semicircle around him.
Lucien exhaled.
"…Alright. Let's finish this."
